Woodlands County water and sewer rates to increase come the new year

Woodlands County residents will be paying more for their water and sewer.

On Sept. 3, councillors unanimously approved Bylaw 529/19, also known as the Water and Sewer Bylaw, which amended the fees the county charges residents for water and sewer.

Infrastructure services director Andre Bachand noted that one of the purposes of the bylaw is to unify the amount residents pay. In the past, Whitecourt area residents and those in the hamlets of Blue Ridge and Fort Assiniboine were all charged different rates.

Starting Jan. 1, 2020, residents on any of the county’s water or sewer systems will be charged a flat rate of $20 for water and a $1.30 fee per cubic metre used. In 2021 and 2022, the overuse fee increases to $1.40 and $1.50 per cubic metre respectively.

For those who take advantage of one of the county’s water filling station, the bulk water fee is $5 while the Ag fill rate is $2.50.

Whitecourt East Coun. Jim Rennie asked if these rates are in line with what Town of Whitecourt residents are charged.

Bachand said no.

“The Town of Whitecourt, based on 10 cubic metres, would charge $19.23 for water and $21.03 for sewer. Under our proposed rates it would be $33 and $33 for sewage,” he said, noting while the county’s rates might be higher than Whitecourt they are comparable with other rural municipalities.

Whitecourt West Coun. John Burrows asked why the rates were included in the bylaw and not a separate fee schedule.

Interim chief administrative officer Gordon Frank noted this is a suggestion by the Alberta Utilities Commission.

“Because the [Alberta Utilities Commission] can hear complaints against rates, it is recommended it is done by bylaw and not resolution or fee schedule,” he said.

Bachand added bylaws have “more teeth” than the other options.

Fort Assiniboine/Timeu Coun. Dale Kluin said that because the new rates are a substantial change, it is important that the county inform residents about the change.

“We will be starting an education program, specifically noting the increases in the next three years,” Bachand said.

Mayor Ron Govenlock said the bylaw comes at a time when there are some potential unknowns for the delivery of water and sewer to residents living on the west end of the county.

What Govenlock is referring to is the ongoing dispute with the Town of Whitecourt.

In June, the county exercised its option to terminate the cost-sharing agreement with the Town of Whitecourt come January 2020, citing economic hardship. In response, the town councillors on Aug. 26 voted to give the county two years notice that it would be terminating its water and sewer agreement. The town provides water and sewer service to the airport as well as to county resident’s west of Whitecourt.

“They [rates and delivery conditions] may be subject to changes down the road, but this doesn’t in any way tie our hands,” he said.